From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A triptych (pronounced /ˈtrɪptɪk/TRIP-tik,
from the Greek
τρίπτυχο, from tri- "three" + ptychē "fold") is a
work of art (usually a panel painting)
which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which
are hinged together and folded. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all
multi-panel works. The middle panel is typically the largest and it
is flanked by two smaller related works, although there are
triptyches of equal-sized panels.

While the root of the word is the ancient Greek "triptychos",
the word arose into the medieval period
from the name for an Ancient Roman writing tablet, which had
two hinged panels flanking a central one. The form can also be used
for pendant jewelry.

From the Gothic period onward, both in
Europe and elsewhere, altarpieces in churches and cathedrals were often in triptych form. One
such cathedral with an altarpiece triptych is Llandaff
Cathedral. The Cathedral of Our Lady
in Antwerp, Belgium, contains two examples by
Rubens,
and Notre Dame de Paris is another
example of the use of triptych in architecture. One can also see
the form echoed by the structure of many ecclesiastical stained glass windows. Although most famous
as a altarpiece form, tryptiches outside that context have been
created, most prominently by Hieronymus Bosch, Max Beckmann, and
Francis Bacon. Famous examples include: